Amidst a dark sky full of darkish grey clouds and relentless rain exterior Concord Corridor in Fort Washington, Maryland, smiles and laughter illuminated the inside because the Basis for the Development of Music and Schooling (FAME) celebrated the grand opening of its new music coaching studio on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“We’ve been wanting to return to the South County for such a very long time as a result of there are a variety of nice musicians and proficient college students that we are able to serve right here,” mentioned Founder and CEO of FAME A. Toni Lewis, expressing her long-awaited pleasure. “This location solutions the decision from communities to offer FAME’s programming to neighborhoods the place public transportation and entry to out-of-school actions are restricted.”
FAME, a non-profit group dedicated to making sure equal entry to high quality music schooling for all kids and younger adults, regardless of their social and financial circumstances, holds music as a key component in shaping character and nurturing a brand new era of leaders for the nation.
“We consider that the ability of music, which is a key issue to a well-rounded character, will produce a brand new era of leaders for our nation,” Lewis defined. “We additional consider that fairness within the arts is significant to constructing sturdy communities.”
As friends traversed the halls of Concord Corridor, they found a three-room studio. Within the major room, Lewis defined, “Desktops are lined with digital keyboards, screens, and headsets the place college students can produce and blend their music utilizing the most recent expertise. Lecturers can observe and instruct from a soundproof studio geared up with a full set of drums and several other different devices.”
This new satellite tv for pc location aligns seamlessly with FAME’s mission to “give each younger musician one of the best alternative to achieve life by offering music coaching and educational assist.” It additional bolsters this system’s complete method to making ready center and highschool college students for faculty and profession success by music instruction, educational assist, faculty preparation, and work readiness.
A guardian with two sons who’ve been concerned in FAME for the previous two years shared her ideas, stating, “This system has helped them (her sons) develop musically and academically, and it’s a very sturdy group. As a guardian, I really feel supported.”
Wayne Ferguson, UPS Division Supervisor and FAME board member for eight years, emphasised the importance of technological upgrades and the transition from a basement setup.
“I’m not a musician in any respect, however to see the improve in expertise and to get this out of her basement is spectacular to me. It’s thrilling and makes the work properly price it. One of many main upgrades is the recording sales space.”
Along with UPS, FAME’s efforts obtained assist from the Prince George’s Division of Parks and Recreation and a neighborhood space giving circle referred to as Giving Collectively.
Co-presidents Renee Licht and Wendy Yaross highlighted their group’s dedication to supporting packages that serve ladies and households in want.
“We realized after the George Floyd homicide in 2020 that all of us thought we knew one thing about structural racism, and we’re in opposition to racism, however we didn’t understand how a lot we didn’t know and the way complete and deep it actually goes,” Yaross defined.
Licht mentioned the group “realized throughout the pandemic that Black-led non-profits have been disproportionately underfunded by mainstream philanthropy.”
“We determined we wished to do our half in altering that image,” Licht mentioned. “We started discovering all of those hidden gems of nonprofits doing wonderful work within the DMV space. That’s how FAME got here to our consideration. We’re so happy and admiring of the work that Toni and FAME have accomplished. It’s additionally actually gratifying to see that the grantees increase and obtain extra.”
Famend jazz saxophonist and nationwide recording artist Brian Lanier, who has been collaborating with FAME, expressed his enthusiasm for this system and Lewis’ work.
“I’m loving what Toni is doing with FAME. I want after I was arising, I had the ability like what they’ve proper now. It’s priceless for studying about writing, devices, and enterprise. I’m glad to be part of this expertise.”
The celebrated jazz artist shared his perspective on the developments in expertise.
“Music is a getaway and a platform the place you possibly can pour out what you’ve inside,” Lanier informed The Informer. “After I was arising, I used two cassette gamers to report– one for the baseline and the opposite to report the medley. I’m from the Stone Age, however they not have to do this. The state-of-the-art expertise makes issues rather a lot simpler. And Toni is wonderful.”